Tom Dietz, who retired last year as a University Distinguished Professor of Sociology, was elected to the esteemed National Academy of Sciences this week.
Dietz was one of only 120 members and 24 international members elected to NAS in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.
“I am profoundly honored by being elected to the National Academies, and humbled when I think of the immense contributions of the members who elected me. But this honor really is shared with many collaborators across the globe, and especially MSU colleagues and former students, as well as with MSU as a place that values and fosters interdisciplinary work,” Dietz said.
The NAS is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and—with the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Medicine—provides science, engineering, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations.
Those elected today bring the total number of active members to 2,617 and the total number of international members to 537, the academy announced.
“Other than a Nobel Prize (which only applies to some disciplines), this is about as highest an honor as one can receive as a scientist. Lincoln signed the charter for the NAS, and it always has had a membership limit,” said Sociology Professor Aaron McCright in announcing the news to the department. “So, this is a great honor for Tom, who becomes the second member of the College of Social Science to be an NAS member.”
Dietz is the 10th faculty member at MSU to be elected to the NAS, and the second from the College of Social Science. Emilio Moran, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor of Geography, Environment and Spatial Sciences, was elected in 2010.